Nigeria has recorded further progress in its diplomatic accreditation process, with 33 of the 65 ambassadors nominated by President Bola Tinubu securing agreement from their host countries.
32 nominees are still awaiting approval from the countries where they are expected to serve.
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed the development to Punch, saying the number of cleared envoys had risen to 33.
“Thirty-three ambassadors have now secured agréments from host countries,” Ebienfa said.
Ebienfa said the ambassadors who had received approval would proceed to their respective missions after completing their induction programme.
The induction, which began on Monday, is scheduled to end today, Wednesday.
“After the induction, those who have been accepted will proceed to their missions,” he said.
The ministry had earlier disclosed that more than 25 ambassadorial nominees had secured agrément as of April 17.
Agrément is the formal consent granted by a receiving country after conducting due diligence on a nominated diplomat.
Minister Tasks Envoys On Nigeria’s Image
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had on Monday commenced the induction programme for the newly appointed career and non-career ambassadors and high commissioners-designate in Abuja.
Speaking at the opening session, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, urged the envoys to project a positive image of Nigeria while navigating limited resources and complex global realities.
She said diplomats had a critical role to play in shaping Nigeria’s international image and advancing the country’s interests.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that Nigeria was facing challenges, including insecurity, resource mobilisation and infrastructure deficits, but said the envoys should not hide those realities.
She said, “Locally, our nation faces genuine challenges of insecurity, resource mobilisation, and infrastructure development.
“Your task is not to hide these realities but to secure international attention and partnership by amplifying the true picture that, despite these obstacles, this government’s commitment to resolving them remains unparalleled and consistent.”
Meanwhile, one of the 65 ambassador-designates, Mohammed Mahmud Lele, Nigeria’s appointed career diplomat to Algeria, died on April 23.
Concerns have also emerged that some nominees may face prolonged delays or fail to secure agrément because of the late timing of their appointments.
Tinubu assumed office in 2023, but delays in appointing ambassadors left several key diplomatic posts vacant, with many missions managed by chargés d’affaires.
To fill the gap, the Presidency forwarded a list of 65 nominees to the National Assembly in late 2025. The nominees were screened in December, but the delay has reportedly put some of them at a disadvantage with host countries due to limited processing time.